The doctrine of instituted churches explained and proved from the word of God

THE DOCTRINE OF Instituted CHURCHES Explained, and Proved from the WORD of GOD.

CHAP. I. The Word of God gives us sufficient Light, to direct us about Instituted Churches and all Administrations therein.

THE Nature of an Instituted Church and the Ordinances to be attended therein, have been matter of great Inquiry in these latter Ages. And those Inquiries have been Accompanied with great Animosities, Discords and Persecutions: Those forms and methods that have been admired by some, have been decried by others, and Multitudes of People are left at a loss whether there be any certain Rule to Guide us; or any certainty to be attained in these things.

THE Nature of an Instituted Church and the Ordinances to be attended therein, have been matter of great Inquiry in these latter Ages. And those Inquiries have been Accompanied with great Animosities, Discords and Persecutions: Those forms and methods that have been admired by some, have been decryed by others, and Multitudes of People are left at a loss whether there be any certain Rule to Guide us; or any certainty to be attained in these things.

Two things especially have hindered those that have been studious in these points, from giving satisfaction to others: One of them is, that some of them have been exceeding tenacious of the Traditions and Ancient usages of the Church, not considering how dismal a Corruption and Degeneracy did in a little time prevail: whereby it comes to pass that those things are obtruded upon us as Rules, which were the Blemishes and Errors of the Ancient Church: They have a Veneration for antiquity and adopt the sayings of Ancient